Shire of Torres is the local government authority, providing the island community's municipal services.

Horn Island is known as Nœrupai (colloquially Nurupai or Nguruapai) to the Kaurareg people and was given its English name by Matthew Flinders in 1802.

In the early 20th century, a town flourished as a result of the pearling industry, but declined when non-islander residents were evacuated to southern Queensland during World War II.

[7][6] The World War II airbase on Horn Island is described in Jack Woodward's historical biographies Under It Down Under and Singing for the Unsung.

In the late 1980s, gold was mined again and Horn saw the rapid expansion of its population and building activity, as land on neighbouring Thursday Island became scarce.

[1] Horn Island has a very warm tropical savanna climate (Aw) with consistently hot temperatures all year round.

The wet season lasts from December to April and features high humidity and frequent heavy downpours.

[15] Tagai State College is a government primary and secondary (early childhood – year 12) school for boys and girls that operates 17 campuses throughout the Torres Strait.